Means for placing, removing, and cleaning electric lamps.



No. 636,229. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. E. E. SIMMS.

MEANS FOR PLACING, REMOVING, AND CLEANING ELECTRIC LAMPS.

(Application filed Oct. 1, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

z'inesses I I zjenio r WM W Mr I THE NORRIS FEYERS co wo'raumu, WASHINGTON n. c.

No. 636,229. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. E. E. SIMMS. MEANS FOR PLACING, REMOVING, AND CLEANING ELECTRIC LAMPS.

(Application filed Oct. 1, 1898.)

2 Sheets Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT ELWYN E. SIMMS, OF ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM E. LOOKERBY, OF MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA.

MEANS FOR PLACING, REMOVING, AND CLEANING ELECTRIC LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 636,229, dated October 31, 1899. Application filed October 1, 1898. Serial Ila. 692,383. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern: ings, forming a part of this specification, and

Be it known that I, ELWYN E. SIMMS, a citiin which zen of the United States of America, residing Figure 1 is a side view of an incandescent in the city of Albert Lea, in the county of electric lamp and its socketin connection with 55 5 Freeborn and State of Minnesota, have ina device embodying my invention, one of the vented certain new and useful Improvements fingers or clamps being removed to more in Means for Placing and Removing and for clearly show the construction of the spreader "Cleaning Incandescent Electric Lamps, of andmeans foroperatingthesame,thespreader which the following is a specification. being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a similar 60 to My invention relates to means for placing view, with the clamping or grasping fingers and removing incandescent electric lamps or closed upon the lamp. Fig. 3 isa similar view, for cleaning the glass bulbs of the same withthe spool or drum and its shaft and a portion, out removal of the lamps from their sockets, of its supports being sectioned to show the inand is especially designed for use in 'connecternal construction. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are 65 l 5 tion with incandescent electric lamps located detail views showing my device in various poin high ceilings, chandeliers, and other places sit-ions at different angles to the pole and inaccessible except by the use of long high also showing the means for regulating such ladders; and the primary object of the inpositions. Fig. 8 is a detail of the spreader. vention is to provide means whereby the op- Fig. 9 is a detail of the spindle. Fig. 10 is a 2o erator may stand on the floor of the building side view of a device embodying my invenand by using a long pole and novel means detion and shows a modified form of operative signed by me removefdead or burnedconnections between the spool or drum and out incandescent electric lamps from their the spreader mechanism. Fig. 11 is a similar sockets in the ceiling or chandelier quickly, view, portions being shown in section. Fig. 75 2 readily, and easily, without danger of break- 12 is'a sectional end view of the ratchets and ing the glass bulbs thereof, and replace the pawls and pawl setting and releasing mechsame with new or live lamps, or may clean anism which I may use in connection with the dust and dirt from the glass bulbs of the the modified form of device shown in Figs. lamps without removing the same from the and 11. Fig. 13 is a sectional View show- 80 3o sockets. ing the pawls and the means whereby their A further object is to provide a device which action is controlled. may be used with any of the incandescent- As shown in the drawings, 2 represents the electric-lamp sockets now in general use, such main frame of my device. This frame may as the Edison, Sawyer-Mann, Thombe of any preferred construction or material, 85 son-Houston, or Swann sockets, in which preferably, however, of the form shown, and the manner of receiving and holding the elecmade of aluminium and highly polished. A trio lamp differs. spool or drum 3 is mounted on a sleeve 4, To these ends my invention consists of a which has bearings in the ends 2 of the frame, suitable pole, expansible means provided on as shown best in Fig. 3. A set-screw 5 ex- 90 the end thereof for grasping the incandescent tends through the spool and bearing against electric lamp, means in connection therewith the sleeve I fixes the spool on the sleeve 4, for controlling the action of said grasping preventing any movement of the spool indemeans, andmeans operated lengthwise of said pendent of the sleeve. A circular frame or pole whereby said expansible grasping means collar 6 is slipped over the extending end of 5 may be revolved or operated; and the inventhe sleeve 4 and is fixed against rotation intion consists, further, in various construcdependent thereof by a set-screw '7, which entions, combinations of parts, and details of ters acircular opening in said sleeve 4:, pro construction,allas hereinafterdescribed,and vided therefor, and for the purpose hereinparticularly pointed out in the claims. after mentioned. To the collar or frame 6 I00 The invention will be more readily underare riveted by means of rivets 10 four spring stood by reference to the accompanying drawgrasping fingers or clamps 8, preferably of the form shown, and for the purpose hereinafter mentioned. The fingers or clamps are preferably covered with rubber tips 9, as shown. A spindle 11, having a headed end 12 and a scrmv-threaded end 16,passes through the sleeve 4 and through the end 2' of the frame 2. A set-screw 17 is provided in the end 2 of the frame 2 and is adapted to be screwed against the spindle 11, by which means all rotation of the spindle 12 is prevented. I provide a spreader 14, formed of a circular piece of metal, having a beveled edge or periphery, and provided on its beveled edge with a series of pins 15, (preferably four in number,) and having a central opening threaded to receive the threaded end 16 of the spindle 11. A cord of suitable weight and material has its central part wound upon the spool or drum 3, as shown, and the ends 18 and 18 thereof pass through respective eyes or loops 19, formed 011 opposite sides of the frame 2, and the cord thence passes down the pole to the operator. In proximity to the respective eyes 19 are springs 20, one end of each of which is coiled about a screw 21, and thereby the springis held in place. The free ends of the springs exert their tension on the respective portions of the cord passing through the eyes and prevent any free movement of the spool or drum or any slackening and tangling of the string on the drum.

The frame 2 is provided at its central portion with a circular projection 22, the face of which I serrate. A pole-cap 23 is adapted to he slipped over the end of the pole,and through a small hole 24 a nail or screw may be driven into the pole to prevent the cap from slipping off. A projection 25, corresponding in size and form to the projection 22, is provided on the end of the cap 23 and has its inner face serrated to correspond wit-l1 the face of the projection 22. The parts 22 and 25 are provided with central openings 26, that in the part 22 being screw-threaded. A thum b-serew 27 has its shank threaded to correspond to the threaded opening 26 and has a suitable head. The frame 2 is clamped to the cap 23 by passing the thumb-screw 27 through the opening of the part 25 and screwing it into the opening 26 of the part- 22, the serrations on the parts 22 and 25 preventing any revolution of the parts with respect to each other. By loosening the thumb-screw the parts 22 and 25 are disengaged and the frame 2, with the clamp, may be turned into any desired position with respect to the pole and setin that position by turning up the thumb-screw 27.

In Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, I have shown a modified form of mechanism for expanding and contracting the grasping-fingers and for transmitting the revolution of the spool 3 to the grasping fingers or clamps. In this construction I do away with the spindle 12 (shown in Figs. 1 to 3) and in its place use a shaft or spindle 30, which has a bearing 31 in the end 2 of the loop casting or frame 2 and passes through a circular opening 32, forming a bearing for the sleeve 33. This sleeve 33 is slipped over the shaft 30, as shown in Fig. 11, and a set-screw 34 passes through the collar 6 and through the sleeve 33 and is adapted to be set against the shaft 30. The collar 6 is of the same general form and construction as in Figs. 1 to 3, exceptthat it has formed integrally with it the ratchet-wheel 35, having teeth of the square or double-ratchet form. (Shown best in Fig. 12.) The drum or spool 3 is provided with a sleeve 36, which is in serted into the central opening thereof and extends about half-way through, and into this sleeve 36 the sleeve 33 passes. The shaft is provided on one end with a long screw-thread 37 of the same size and pitch as the thread of the central opening in the spreader 14, into which it is adapted to be screwed, as hereinafter described.

An extension 38 is provided on the end 2 of the casting or frame 2. Two ratchet pawls or dogs 39 and 40, together with a pair of pawl setting or releasing dogs 42 and 43, are

journaled on a screw 44, which screws intothe extension 38. The dogs 42 and 43 are mounted directly on the screw 44, while I prefer to mount the pawls 39 and on a sleeve 45 of the form shown in Fig. 13, slipping the sleeve over the screw or bolt 44. The pawls 39 and 40 are adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 35, as hereinafter described.

Between the end 2 of the casting or frame 2 and the spool 3 on the sleeve 30 I mount a second ratchet-wheel 46 of the same general form as the ratchet-wheel 35 and having the same shaped teeth. This ratchet-wheel 46 is fixed on the shaft 30 by a set-screw 30. While I have shown this second ratchet-wheel 46 in Fig. 12 as slightly larger than the wheel 35 in use, I prefer to make them of the same size. On the end of the spool near its edge I mount ratchet pawls or dogs 47 and 48 and ratchet-pawl setting and releasing dogs 49 and 50 on a screw 51, which screws into the end of the spool. The manner of mounting these dogs and pawls 47, 48, 49, and 50 on the screw 51 is similar to that of the pawls and dogs 39, 40, 42, and 43, as shown in Fig. 13. The pawls 47 and 48 are adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 46, as hereinafter described. Bow-springs 51' fit into the grooves 52 on the arm 58 and on the part or stud 58 on the spool. The ends of the respective springs bear against the respective pawls 39, 40, 47, and 48.

The operation of my device is as follows: The device beingin the position shown in Fig. 3, the operator revolves the spindle 11 to engage the threaded end thereof with the thread of the central openingin the spreader 14, and thereby carry the spreader up onto the threaded end of the spindle. The operator then forces the spindle and spreader forward, so that the spreader 14 coming into contact with the inward bend of the clamps or fingers 8 forces or spreads the clamps or fingers out,

as shown in Fig. 1. The set-screw 17 is turned up against the spindle 11, and thereby said spindle is prevented from slipping back into the position shown in Fig. 1, and the spreader 14 held in position to distend the clamps or fingers 8, as shown. The spindle 11 is by this set-screw 17 prevented from turning when the spreader 14 revolves, as hereinafter menbetween the fingers 8.

tioned. The operator then raises the pole and device into the air, adjusting the angle at which the device is held with respect to the pole to correspond with the angle at which the lamp to be removed is set with respect to the wall or ceiling. This is done by releasing the thumb-screw 27, permitting the rotation of the frame 2 with respect to the pole. Any desired angle can thus be secured. The operator then places the distended fingers 8 over the lamp and holding the pole in one hand pulls downward on the string or cord 18, revolving the drum 3 and therewith the sleeve 4, the frame or collar 6, and the clamps or fingers 8. The tension of the fingers 8 holds them against the spreader l4, and as the fingers 8 revolve they carry with them the spreader 14, the fingers 8 engaging the pins 15 thereon and preventing any slipping of the fingers 8 on the edge of the spreader. If desired, I may make the spreader 14 square or provide on it the same number of straight sides as there are fingers 8, the corners between straight sides forming the equivalents of the pins 15. I therefore wish to be understood as claiming either construction when I refer to the spreader 14 and pins 15. As the fingers 8 and spreader 14 revolve, the spreader is forced toward the collar 6 by the threads on the end of the spindle 11 and in the central opening in said spreader. As soon as the spreader reaches the end of the thread on the spindle 11 it drops onto the portion 13 of the spindle, which is of smaller diameter than the opening in said spreader. The tension of the fingers 8 then forces the spreader back to the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The clamps or fingers then spring against the lamp, the shock being broken by the rubber tips 9. The further revolution of the fingers 8 unscrews the lamp from its socket and permits its being readily removed to the operator. If it is desired to place a lamp in a socket, the device is used with the operative parts in the positions shown in Fig. 2, the lamp being slipped The lamp is then raised by the pole and the threaded end thereof held against the thread of the socket. The lamp is then rotated in the direction of the thread of the socket by rotating the fingers 8. This is accomplished by pulling down and the spindle 11 and spreader 14 forced forward to distend the fingers 8, so as to be wide enough apart to clear the bulb. The setscrew 7 is then screwed up to bear against the spindle 11 andcarry it aronndwith the collar 6. Suitable cleaning-felts are then slipped over the ends of fingers 8 and bear lightly against the glass bulb. The fingers are then slipped over the bulb of the lamp to be cleaned and revolved through the respective cords 18 or 18. As the set-screw 17 has not been set against the spindle 11, and the set-screw 7, extending through the collar 6 and sleeve 4, bears on the spindle 11, the spindle is rotated with the spreader 14.

With my device constructed as shown in Figs. 10 to 13 the operation is as follows: The fingers being expanded and in the position shown in Fig. 11, the operator after raising the device to the lamp, so that it encircles the same, as shown in Fig. 11, pulls downward on the cord 18. The drum is thereby rotated and therewith the spindle 30, which is fixed in the drum and always rotates therewith. As the sleeve 33 is free in the sleeve 36, no motion is communicated directly from the drum to the sleeve33, and when the string 18 is pulled to rotate the drum rotation of the sleeve 33, ratchet-wheel 46, and of the collar 6 and ratchet-wheel 35 is prevented by the dog 39, pivoted on the extension 38 of the frame 2, engaging one of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 35, thereby holding the ratchetwheel 35 from revolving, and as the ratchetwheel 35 is fixed to the sleeve 33 by the setscrew 34 rotation of the sleeve 33 and of the ratchet-wheel 46 is thereby'prevented. The fingers or clamps 8 are thus held stationary, and the spreader 14 is also held stationary, the pins 15 thereof engaging respective fingers 8, so that as the spindle or shaft 30 is revolved the thread thereof carries the spreader up the threaded end 37 of the spindle 30, permitting the fingers or clamps to close about the lamp. The operator then pulls the cord 18. ing with it the dogs 48 and 49. The dog 48 engages one of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 46, carrying therewith the ratchet-wheel46, and thereby rotating the sleeve 33 and shaft 30 in the same direction. As the collar 6 and ratchet-wheel 35 are fixed to rotate with the sleeve 33, they are revolved therewith and in the same direction as the shaft 30. The dog 39 (see Fig. 12) permits the ratchet-wheel 35 to revolve freely in this direction, while preventing its rotation in the opposite direction. As the shaft 30 and the sleeve 33 thus revolve in the same direction, the spreader 14 is held stationary on the threaded end of the shaft 30, and the revolution of the clamps or fingers 8 unscrews the lamp from its socket and permits its removal. By throwing the dogs or pawls 48 and 39 out of engagement with the ratchet-wheels 46 and 35, respectively, and throwing the dogs 47 and 40 into position to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheels 46 and The drum 3 is thereby revolved, carry- 35, respectively, the clamps or fingers may be revolved to screw the lamp back into its socket and a reverse revolution utilized to expand the clamps and permit their withdrawal from the lamp, leaving the lampsecurely in its socket.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, with expansible grasping fingers or clamps,means for expanding or contracting said fingers or clamps, revolving mechanism the motion of which operates said expanding or contracting means and revolves said fingers or clamps, and means whereby said revolving mechanism may be operated, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, with expansible grasping fingers or clamps, means for expanding and contracting said fingers or clamps, revolving mechanism the motion of which operates said expanding and contracting means and revolves said fingers or clamps, and means whereby power is applied to said revolving mechanism by force exerted lengthwise of said pole, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible grasping fingers or clamps, mechanism for expanding, contracting and revolving said fingers or clamps and means within the reach of the operator and operated lengthwise of said pole for operating said mechanism, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible grasping fingers or clamps, mechanism for expanding, contracting and revolving said fingers or clamps and means within the reach of the operator and operated lengthwise of said pole and independent of any motion thereof for operating said mechanism, substantially as described.

5. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible fingers or clamps, means whereby said expansible fingers or clamps may be expanded and contracted, a revolving drum, operative connections between said drum and said fingers or clamps and said means whereby the revolution of said drum expands, contracts and revolves said fingers or clamps as desired, and means whereby said drum may be revolved, substantially as described.

6. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible grasping fingers or clamps, a spreader, a drum or spool, means whereby said fingers or clamps may be revolved by the revolution of said drum, operative connections between said drum and spreader whereby said fingers and clamps may be expanded or contracted as desired by the revolution of said drum, and means within the reach of the operator for revolving said drum, substantially as described.

7. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a pole, expansible grasping fingers or clamps, a spreader, a spindle 12, a drum or spool, means whereby said spindle and spreader may be revolved with said drum or said spindle may be held stationary while said drum is revolved, means whereby said fingers or clamps may be revolved with said drum, and means within the reach of the operator for revolving said drum, substantially as described.

8. The combination, in a device of the class described, with a pole, of a series of fingers or clamps 8, a spreader 14 having arms 15, a spool or drum, connections between said drum and fingers or clamps whereby the rotation of said drum is imparted to said fingers or clamps, a frame wherein said drum or spool is mounted, a spindle 12, means whereby said spindle and spreader may be revolved with said drum or said spindle held against rotation therewith, means within the reach of the operator for revolving said drum, and mechanism for mounting said frame on said shaft so that it may be adjusted at various angles with respect thereto.

9. The combination, in a device of the class described, with a pole, of a frame, means for mounting the frame adjustably thereon, expansible grasping fingers or clamps, means for expandin or contracting said fingers or clamps, revolving mechanism the motion of which operates said expanding or contracting means and revolves said fingers, and means whereby said revolving mechanism may be operated, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with apole, ofa frame adj ustably secured thereto, a drum or spool rotatably mounted therein, a spindle, clamps or fingers, a spreader, means for rotating said clamps or fingers with said drum, means whereby said spreader and spindle are rotated with said fingers and hold said fingers distended as desired, means whereby said spreader is rotated with said fingers and said spindle held stationary, and means for rotating said drum, substantially as described.

11. The combination, withapole, ofaframe adj ustably secured thereto, a drum rotatably mounted in said frame, a sleeve or hollow shaft whereon said drum is fixed, a spindle having a threaded end, a spreader having a threaded opening, a frame or collar provided with clamps or fingers, a set-screw whereby saidspindle may be fixed against rotation with said sleeve and spreader, a second set-screw whereby said spindle may be fixed to rotate with said sleeve and spreader, and a cord wound upon said drum so that its respective ends may be used to rotate said drum in opposite directions, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with apole, ofa frame adjustably secured thereto, a drum rotatably.

mounted therein, a hollow sleeve or shaft whereon said drum is fixed, fingers or clamps, a spreader, a spindle having a threaded end adapted to screw into a threaded opening in said spreader, said fingers or clamps being fixed to rotate with said sleeve, ratchet-wheels adapted to rotate with said sleeve, dogs or pawls carried respectively by said drum and frame, and means for rotating said drum, substantially as described.

13. The combination, with a pole, ofa frame adj ustably secured thereto, a drum rotatably mounted therein, a hollow shaft or sleeve whereon said drum is fixed, fingers or clamps, a spreader, a spindle having a threaded end adapted to screw into a threaded opening in said spreader, said fingers or clamps being fixed to rotate with said sleeve, ratchet-wheels adapted to rotate with said sleeve, dogs or pawls and dog or pawl setting and releasing dogs or pawls carried respectively by said drum and frame, and means for rotating said drum, substantially as described.

14. The combination, with a pole, of expansible grasping fingers or clamps, a spool or drum in connection therewith, a frame adjustably secured to said pole and wherein said spool or drum and said fingers or clamps are mounted, and means for rotating said drum or spool and therewith said fingers or clamps,

substantially as described.

15. The combination, with a pole, of expansible grasping fingers or clamps, a spool or drum in connection therewith, means within the reach of the operator for rotating said spool or drum, and means in connection with said fingers or clamps whereby said fingers or clamps may be held expanded as desired, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with a pole, of a frame adj ustably secured thereon, a hollow sleeve 0r shaft having bearings in said frame, a spool or drum mounted on said sleeve, expansible fingers or clamps fixed on said sleeve, a second shaft adapted to rotate within said sleeve, means in connection with said second shaft whereby said clamps or fingers may be expanded as desired and held in an expanded position, and means for rotating said spool or drum, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with apole, ofa frame adj ustably secured thereon, a spool or drum mounted in said frame, expansible fingers or clamps supported from said frame, operative mechanism between said spool or drum and said fingers or clamps whereby by the revolution of said drum said fingers may be expanded, contracted or revolved, and means within the reach of the operator for revolving said spool or drum, substantially as described.

18. The combination, with a pole, of fingers or clamps, a spool or drum, operative mechanism between said spool or drum and said fingers or clamps whereby said fingers or clamps may be contracted or revolved, a cord or cords passing from about said drum to within the reach of the operator, and tension devices in connection with said cord and with projections 25 and 22, respectively, a setscrew in connection therewith,a spool or drum, mounted in said frame, fingers or clamps supported from said frame and operatively connected with said drum, and a cord wound upon said drum, its respective ends extending from said drum to within reach of the operator whereby said drum may be rotated in either direction as desired, substantially as described.

21. The combination, with a pole, of a cap 23, a frame 2, said cap and frame provided with projections 25 and 22, respectively, a setscrew in connection therewith, a spool or drum mounted in said frame, fingers or clamps supported from said frame and operatively con nected with said drum, and a cord wound upon said drum, its respective ends extending from said drum to within reach of the operator whereby said drum may be rotated in either direction as desired, and tension-springs in connection with said cord whereby said cord is held taut on said spool, substantially as described.

22. The combination, of a pole, expansible fingers or clamps, mechanism whereby said fingers or clamps maybe contracted, arevolv ing drum, operative connections between said drum and said mechanism and fingers where= by the revolution of said drum is adapted to contract and revolve said fingers and means whereby said drum may be revolved, sub stantially as described.

23. The combination, with a pole, of fingers ELWYN E. SIMMS.

In presence of- FREDERICK S. LYON, A. S. PALMER. 

